Senate Bill 947 Summary

• Amends the Nursing Facilities Quality of Care Fee statute (56 O.S. 2021, Section 2002) with updated statutory language regarding fee assessment, calculation, and use of revenues for quality care enhancements in nursing facilities.

• Establishes that the Nursing Facility Quality of Care Fund remains exempt from budgetary cuts and shall fund specific programs including Medicaid reimbursements, ombudsmen positions, facility inspectors, and services for elderly and disabled nursing home residents.

• Updates 63 O.S. 2021, Section 1-2216 regarding the Oklahoma State Council on Aging and Adult Protective Services, transferring its establishment authority from the Attorney General to the Department of Human Services.

• Clarifies rules for the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman program, including confidentiality protections for complainant and resident identities and procedures requiring written consent before disclosure of ombudsman files.

• Declares an emergency effective date, making the act take effect immediately upon passage and approval.